Mid-September
(© 1998 Susan Jaworowski)

This has been a great month for free Hawaiian music in Honolulu! Last Friday was the Downtown Ho'olaule'a, and this weekend is the Waikiki Ho'olaule'a. The downtown Honolulu Book Shops is now but a memory, but its space has been filled with a new bookstore called Bestsellers. To celebrate their opening, they are having musicians giving free concerts in the store a noon for two weeks! The Hawaiian musicians -- including Na Leo, Willie and Amy, and Darren Benitez -- will all be playing free! See schedule below.

We also have some great concerts coming up on the Mainland! Check out Palolo in San Diego -- the Brothers Cazimero in Kansas -- The Makaha Sons in Denver -- and much more! Check the schedule below.

Here are the sound clips from the two Dancing Cat CDs I previewed last time: check out from Cyril Pahinui's Night Moon - Po Mahina and from Ray Kane's Wa'ahila.

For you folks on the Big Island, I have been informed that the new KWXX website is now online, including information for the coming KWXX Mauna Loa Downtown Hilo Ho'olaule'a. Check out http://www.kwxx.com

Rick at Sea-west studios reports that Brian Kessler (of Hawaiian Style Band fame) is cutting a new CD there. I'll keep you posted when I get more info.

Remember, if you haven't bookmarked this site, you can always reach me through
www.listen.to/Hawaiian.music.

Recordings

Waltz of the WindLedward Kaapana, Waltz of the Wind (Dancing Cat Records 08022 38016-2) Dancing Cat had a triple threat month, releasing the new CDs by Ray Kane and Cyril Pahinui previewed in the early September page, and now releasing Led's latest. This is Led with a twist, however; Led Country Style! It's amazing how well Led's own style blends with a true country music sound. "Radio Hula" is a particularly successful blend, as is the haunting title track with country fiddle star Alison Krauss. "Koke'e" is done with a shimmer of strings, while "Move It One Over" with Ricky Skaggs is a twangy, toe-tapping delight. This is a delightful hybrid of two similar styles, and you absolutely do not need to be a country music fan to enjoy this one! Other songs include "My Yellow Ginger Lei," "'Opihi Moemoe," "Yesterday," and "Hanohano Hanalei." Sound clipd and more info can be found at http://www.dancingcat.com.

George Matsushita, There's No Place Like Hawai`i: the Falsetto Stylings of George "Keoki" Matsushita (U'ilani Productions UPCD 1010). I have no background information for this CD, but I think Keoki Matsushita may be the recent winner of a Hawaii falsetto contest, in which this Japanese national sang falsetto with such effortless grace that he won first place -- but was unaware that he had done so until his interpreter told him that the crowds were clapping for him. Whether that's true or not, Keoki has a solid, stylish falsetto and a wonderful set of backup musicians in Mahi Beamer, Aaron Mahi, Hiram Olsen, Byron Yasui, and Alan Akaka on steel. His baritone may be too laden with vibrato, but his falsetto is first rate. This live CD has lots of vigor! Songs include "Kamalani O Keaukaha," "Ku'u Wa Li'ili'i (Hupe Kole)", "Maui Girl," "Now is the Hour," and "No Pueo."

Sybil PruettSybil Pruett, Echoes from the Heart (Ku'uipo 'Anela 'O Kalani). This is the second CD release by the well-known Northern California kumu hula Sybil Pruett of halau Ku'uipo 'Anela O Kalani. With a simple, spare arrangement, but a lush voice filled with vibrato, Sybil offers a variety of Hawaiian and Tahitian numbers. Songs include "Waika," "Hula Lady," "E Nani E," "Henehene Kou Aka," "Haere Mai Ana," and "Ki Taku Poi E." Click here for a sample of one of my favorites, the catchy "Hula Girl."


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